The Shed Set to Launch “Open Call” Program

As Björk’s commission at The Shed comes to a close on June 1, the multidisciplinary venue will turn a spotlight on New York-based artists with the launch of “Open Call.” The initiative, which features artists and collectives that have not yet received support from major institutions, kicks off on May 30 with new work from the program’s first group.

The Shed’s “Open Call” provides space and resources to the artists to create their individual projects and makes good on the organization’s mission to serve as an arts institution for a mix of new and well-known artists.

“‘Open Call’ ensures that emerging artists from the five boroughs are given more opportunities and the resources they need to make and present new work,” said Alex Poots, The Shed’s artistic director and CEO, in an announcement.

The Griffin Theater on Level 6. Stage set for Norma Jeane Baker of Troy, designed by Alex Eales. Photo: Timothy Schenck. Courtesy The Shed.

Selected artists received a stipend ranging from $7,000 to $15,000. The pieces will be presented in the Griffin Theater over the course of six weeks, and will be free, with ticket reservations required.

“As a civic institution on city-owned land, we take seriously our responsibility to reflect, respond and support the diverse artists living and working in the five boroughs,” said Tamara McCaw, The Shed’s chief civic program officer in a statement. “We know the pressures artists face and with ‘Open Call’ developed a program that centers New York City artists of all art forms by providing support, resources and commissioning opportunities.”

The cohort joins an impressive list of performers selected to present at the $475-million cultural space, which opened in Hudson Yards in April. And much like the rest of the programming filling out the institution’s inaugural season — which includes artists such as Anne Carson, Ben Wishaw, Renée Fleming, Sia and Steve McQueen — the work to be presented in “Open Call” covers an ambitious breadth of disciplines.

“For ‘Open Call,’ we wanted a clear and simple mission: to commission New York City emerging artists across all disciplines in the creation of new work,” said Emma Enderby, senior curator of The Shed, in a news release. “Through a panel process, colleagues in the field and artists selected 52 from over 900 applications, and — over the course of a year — The Shed has been developing the projects with them.”

The second group of artists will mount a large group show on June 19, set to run through Aug. 25.